This stunning Mary Katrantzou Silk Blend Animal Print Jacquard dress I picked up on TheCorner sale is one of my favorite pieces to date. Inspired by the signature fifties New Look silhouette and styled in deep shades of jewel-toned jacquard, Mary Katrantzou‘s A-line dress is certainly a feminine choice for dress-up. Covered in abstract animal patterning, this shimmering piece lends evening looks a touch of whimsical.
I love the ink/black silk blend with bordeaux and silver-hued jacquard pattern.

To add a notch of modern classics I matched it with Acne Studios Mape Shearling-trimmed leather biker jacket from Net-a-Porter.

Designed with a detachable, plush stone lamb aviator-inspired shearling collar, rough downtown-luxe hardware and a chunky buckled belt, is one of the most coveted wardrobe staples among It girls. I love slightly boxy cut and the asymmetric zip.

I was aiming at that extra edge so slipped into these gorgeous Alexander Wang Lys polished leather ankle boots, also from Net-a-Porter.
Not only does Wang create most coveted accessories each season, but this time he also incorporates the runaway’s utilitarian feel injecting a dose of futuristic style into otherwise, daily-wear pieces.
These super cool Lys boots are crafted from polished-leather with an exaggerated, shield-like front panel. Finished with a well-balanced ostrich-effect heel, this backless, gorgeous pair look best with shorter hemlines.

I have finally recovered from the nasty flu that held me home-bound for the last two weeks (hurray!) so it is about time to have some fun and rave about all those amazing brands I met at London Fashion Week in the Designer Showrooms a few weeks ago!

I wore Mary Kantratzou designs, both dress and the handbag – the outfit details will be shared in my next post, though!

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I had an opportunity to speak with Fode Sylla and Yuko Fujita – founders of Touba London – a PR platform for British and International up-and-coming brands to showcase and promote their creativity and designs in the areas of fashion, photography and artwork. Their showrooms in London, Paris and Tokyo are a home for striving fashion designers as well as photographic and artwork exhibitions leading to the international market recognition.

There was a number of brands that caught my eye – one of them was Áeron – a Hungarian label set up by Eszter Aron in 2011 whose designs are characterised by sharp lines, focus on fabric quality and innovative craftsmanship. The core of Eszter’s inspiration and designs lies in minimal yet feminine sensuality, keeping that perfect balance between work and play while reinventing traditional tailoring.

Hong Kong-born Cyntha was named by Italian Vogue as a designer to watch out for and included her in their list of “New Talents”. Having worked with the likes of Roksanda Illinic, Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, Preen by Thornton, she then returned home to Hong Kong where she is now based. Her brand, set up in 2014,“is founded on bold graphics infused with strong modernity” and her graphic background shines though in the AW15 collection.A

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Xiao, who was born in Beijing, initially studied fine art and textiles before combing her artwork with fashion design. After graduating from CSM she moved back to China to launch her own label. Their collaboration incorporates functionality with a edgy masculine present in oversized collars, utilitarian pockets, and striking knot detail.

Both designers bring the idea of bold basics to her SS15 collection utilising classic 50’s shapes and patterns in a striking manner. Cyntia & XIAO delivered a fresh looking collection where beautiful fabrics and colour are at the very forefront.

I loved Benoit Foucher‘s hat designs. This French designer’s AW15 collection incorporates duality of shapes, unusual lines combined with the unique feel to it – made in France, each hat has a serial number and is shaped on a wooden hat mould.

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Le Kilt offers a fresh, contemporary take on the timeless wardrobe classic – the kilt. Set up by Samatha McCoach in 2014, the brand is a homage to her family’s knit making heritage with some added dash of chic, playfulness and modernity.

I am casting my mind back to my 2nd day at London Fashion Week… It seems like a long time ago now with both Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks well over, to me, however, it still resonates with a certain degree of euphoria and inspiration weeks on.

As you all know, I love shearling coats so when the weather still had London in its wintry grasp, I could not resist but to go for this gorgeous Rick Owens Shearling-collared leather jacket I picked up on theOutnet last year.

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I love the neutral, blush coloured leather and show-stopping oversized shearling shawl collar that will get you noticed from the crowd.

Rick Owens take a feminine approach to the classic biker jacket and offers up this flesh leather cropped version.

I played with perfect proportions by layering the jacket over Proenza SchoulerFlocked moiré-jacquard mini runaway dress I got from Net-a-Porter a couple of months ago. I can’t get enough of the bold multicolored Flocked moiré-jacquard and rich velvet flocking. Nipped in waist with rounded shoulders and wide short sleeves, the dress certainly gives off a modern look This navy and teal techno-fabric dress is, in my opinion, one of the best pieces from Proenza Schouler‘s “energy, humor, and speed.” Fall’14 collection.

I worked it with pointed suede ankle boots and a leather clutch.

Bottega Veneta Nero Suede Boots I got from MyTheresa never let me down. Every time I wear them, they do make a statement adding a dash of playful originality! I love the elegant silhouette contrasted against a whimsical flame-like cut out design to the ankle.

So my shearling extravaganza continues past London Fashion Week.
If you are a forward-planning person like myself, you would have undoubtedly got yourself a shearling or two by now, I always buy out of season and purchasing at least one was a no–brainer to me.

Personally, I like oversized jackets but if you are at all on the curvy side, you need to be careful of appearing too bulky.Isabel Marant‘s signature boho-chic ecru jacket was the killer look on the FW14 runway.

I love the way Marant mixes this shorter jacket up with a curly shearling body and smooth fur sleeves.
The fine detachable leather belt is a key element of the designer’s shearling look that cinches in the waist for a more fitted and flattering silhouette.

This ‘Sienna’ skirt perfectly captures Isabel Marant‘s bohemian spark. Crafted in an off-white cream soft knitted alpaca and wool blend with an instantly recognizable geometric print, it features a wrap front to sit slightly asymmetric that ties up both ends so you decide how fitted you want it to be.

And they do make a statement adding a dash of playful originality! They caught my eye at Milan Fashion Week last season. Expertly crafted in Italy they show off an elegant silhouette contrasted against a whimsical flame-like cut out design to the ankle, adding a touch of drama. They look best with bare legs or thin tights!

I could not stop looking at it when I first got it, admiring the beauty of the design, superb leather quality and the complicated curved lines that very much remind me of the forgotten shape of an accordion.

The bag features one open central section and two tab-fastening side compartments. The satchel is undoubtedly in the list of my top 10 favourite bags to date.